ON-CALL CRISIS POOL WORKERS
NEEDED. Part-time positions are available for after hours “on-call”
crisis workers to respond to mental health crisis for Wilson and Karnes Counties. Duties include crisis interventions,
assessments, referrals to stabilization services, and referrals for involuntary
treatment services according to the Texas Mental Health Laws. You must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in
psychology, sociology, social work, nursing, etc. On-call hours are from 5 p.m.-8 a.m. weekdays, weekends
and holidays vary. If selected, you must
attend required training and must be able to report to designated safe sites
within 1 hour of request for assessment. Compensation
is at a rate of $200 per week plus $100 per completed and submitted crisis assessment,
and mileage. If interested call Camino Real Community
Services, 210-357-0359.

Service CoordinationSupervisor. Camino Real
Community Services is seeking a SC supervisor who will manage and supervise
service coordinators. This position will ensure implementation of local
authority functions for individuals diagnosed with Intellectual and Development
Disabilities (IDD) enrolled in Medicaid waivers and other programs. This position will be housed at the IDD
Admin. Office located in Floresville and will also service as the office
manager for this location. Submit resume to
Camino Real Community Services, Attn: HRS, P.O. Box 725, Lytle, TX 78052 or fax to 830-772-4304. Visit www.caminorealcs.org for applications and
other details. EOE.

Staples: End Endangered Species Act abuse and misues

AUSTIN -- Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is urging Congress to put an end to the overbearing regulations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the abuse and misuse of the Endangered Species Act. In an ongoing effort to protect Texas private property owners’ rights, jobs and natural resources, Commissioner Staples today submitted written testimony to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources.

The committee is holding an oversight hearing, titled “Taxpayer-Funded Litigation: Benefitting Lawyers and Harming Species, Jobs and Schools,” which is examining how litigious groups use the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws to hinder species recovery, jobs and education.

“Congress needs to step in to end this game of ‘endangered chicken’ once and for all,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said, regarding the tactics of threats by activist and the USFWS. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is recklessly driving the taxpayers’ truck on a collision course with our economy, food producers, true species steward landowners and taxpayers. Let’s hope Congress takes the keys away before more damage is done.”

Below are excerpts from Commissioner Staples’ testimony encouraging the EPA to explore ways to provide real and reasonable protection to legitimately threatened species:

“It is clear the ESA has been used to accomplish the goals of radicals and those seeking to expand the reach of government.

“A sad irony of the implementation of the Endangered Species Act is that it promotes regulation over incentives, often to the detriment of the species it proposes to protect. Rather than supporting proven conservation efforts, the ESA has been used to suffocate opportunities that promote species propagation through non-governmental, non-regulatory methods.

“I implore Congress to take action to provide true relief to the people of Texas and the United States. The perversion of the ESA continues to create victims and take hostages.

“When will science retain its place as the foundation for decisions − ahead of activist litigation and threats in the absence of evidence?

“Approximately 84 percent of the land in Texas is in privately-owned farms, ranches and forests. Our landowners are responsible for managing the natural resources that sustain our state’s population of 26 million; feed and clothe the world; provide a healthy environment; and create the jobs that power our economy. We believe in sound decision making, private property owners’ rights and the fact that government is not the answer to every problem. The execution of the ESA conflicts with these principles and has been a source of concern for Texans for decades.

“Congress must act now to provide relief to landowners, states and businesses that are being deprived of property and the opportunity to work and create jobs as activists abuse the Act in a grab for the land and water upon which Americans depend.”

Commissioner Staples has proposed a nine-point plan to reform the ESA.